World Premiere of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed on June 21 in Minnesota; Opens in Denver February 2014

WORLD PREMIERE OF MAYA: HIDDEN WORLDS REVEALED ON JUNE 21 IN MINNESOTA; OPENS IN DENVER FEBRUARY 2014

Denver Museum of Nature & Science Collaborates with Three Other Museums to Develop Largest Exhibition about the Maya

June 21, 2013—Denver, Colorado—Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, a brand new, original exhibition, has its world premiere today at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The Denver Museum of Nature & Science was a major collaborator on the design of this one-of-a-kind exhibition, which sheds light on this mysterious and majestic culture and its remarkable achievements. It will open in Denver on February 14, 2014.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science has attracted millions of visitors to see spectacular temporary exhibitions over the years, and this collaboration on Maya continues the Museum’s commitment to providing people in the Rocky Mountain Region with experiences of a lifetime. The exhibition includes items from the Museum’s collections, and the Museum played a major role in identifying the scientific advisory panel, selecting artifacts, and establishing the conceptual design and the goals and themes of the exhibition.

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealedis the largest exhibition about the ancient Maya ever to be displayed in the United States. Through a combination of never-before-seen artifacts, hands-on activities, and immersive environments—including re-creations of an underworld cave, the starry night sky, and a vibrantly colored mural room—visitors will explore the rise and eventual decline of this fascinating culture’s ancient cities.

Several items from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science collections are traveling with the exhibition, including a polychrome plate and vessel, a funerary urn, an incense burner, and much more. The exhibition will be the first in the Museum’s new Anschutz Gallery—which will adjoin the current Phipps Gallery for large exhibitions of this kind. The Anschutz Gallery is located in the Museum’s new 126,000-square-foot addition, the Morgridge Family Exploration Center, which also opens next February.

“The ancient Maya capture the imaginations of many,” said George Sparks, President and CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed not only shows us a glimpse of this incredible culture but it paves the way for other world-class exhibitions of its kind that provide in-depth explorations of ancient cultures. We can’t wait to open our new wing with this spectacular exhibition.”

Exhibition Organizers

Development of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is a collaboration led by the Science Museum of Minnesota in conjunction with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science; Museum of Science, Boston; and the San Diego Natural History Museum.

More About the Exhibition

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed will give visitors a glimpse at a cross-section of Maya life—from divine kings who ruled powerful cities to the artisans and laborers who formed the backbone of Maya society. Visitors will also receive a close look at the scientific work being carried out at key Maya sites across Central America to understand exactly how we know what we know of the once-hidden ancient Maya culture.

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region’s leading resource for informal science education. A variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. To learn more about the Museum, check www.dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.